Currently embroiled in negotiations with UFC and at times acting as though the relationship is over, Spike TV counter programmed the UFC on Versus 4 event that aired this past Sunday night (June 26) at 9 p.m. ET.

A rebroadcast of UFC Fight Night 22 drew an average audience of 793,000 viewers while the "Kongo vs. Barry" event garnered 744,000 views for its live broadcast on the Versus channel, according to Sherdog.

Of course, UFC on Versus 4 was one of the most ravaged fight cards in recent memory, with injuries and various other circumstances clouding the show.

I found this news incredibly disturbing. Are there that many casual fans who don't keep up with this sport?

However, on the positive side, ratings are up from Kampmann-Sanchez, by about 100,000 viewers... Plus, the last UFC on Versus was on Wednesday (I think), and this was on Sunday. So it changed days, times, and was on a channel few people have (fewer than have spike), with a card plagued by injury replacements and scratched bouts, losing the main event, and still improved from the last showing on Versus.

I have to agree with the majority here and say it's because of it being on VS. I hope Zuffa realizes that broadcasting on channels such as VS and possibly G4 will cost them a lot of viewers, due to the fact that a lot of people do not have those channels. At this point, it doesn't seem to be bothering them, but hopefully that will change.

I get Versus where I am at on the basic cable package, you don't even need digital. But I used to have Dish, and those bastards do make you get a more expensive package filled with crap. It's like paying $10 a month just for Versus, and they don't hold events regularly enough to justify that.

G4 however, is not on the basic cable package. I know it's the same with the satellite carriers out here too. You have to pay more for that, and since the G4-Tech TV merger killed both channels and made them hollow representations of their former beings, there is no reason to pay for that channel.

At this point though... I feel Spike should probably be ditched, unless they step their game up and quit effing around.

If you believe their promo's, ESPN is the worldwide leader in sports

Just saying......

Last edited 6/28/11 10:47PM server time by pmoneyEdit note/reason: editing!

I found this news incredibly disturbing. Are there that many casual fans who don't keep up with this sport?

how many people get VS?

Yeah, this. I would say it has more to do with the availability of the network than anything. That might have been Spike's entire purpose for airing the marathon, to show UFC:

"Look, we can get you better numbers airing reruns than another network can get you off of a free, live event, so stay with us."

Probably a smart move on their part however it all plays out. The UFC has to realize that they probably aren't going to be able to get on a network more mainstream than Spike right now, but they may also be thinking more long term with the idea of having their own network eventually become mainstream or just working through a semi well known network where they can have more control over the programming.

I have Dish network and had their basic lowest package, until the UFC started doing live events on VS. To be able to get VS i had to jump up 2 packages and pay close to 30 bucks extra a month. Honestly it's not worth the extra scratch you have to pay to get VS especialy since ZUFFA is only putting on a couple of live events on VS a year now since they dismantled WEC. I'd rather the UFC do thier free events on Showtime, it's only 12 bucks a month to add showtime on dish. Hell they should try to get on that USA channel, if they would put that soap opera wrestling stuff on their then getting the UFC on there shouldn't be to far of a stretch and USA is on cable and the lowest packages on dish and direct tv.

gotta love being in Canada :D Sportsnet aired the VS card (i believe its part of basic cable), and i get Spike too. so i dont have to care where they go next since im pretty positive Sportsnet will broadcast their events live regardless what US channel....unless its ESPN since they own TSN (Sportsnet's rival)